The event, held at Wimbledon College, was hosted by Anais Mango and Katie Keane of Ursuline High School. Young people spoke to the audience of parents and friends about their DofE experience and what it meant to them to complete the scheme. Although 100 received their awards on the night, 292 Merton young people have received DofE awards this year.

The DofE requires young people to get involved in a number of activities including volunteering, developing skills such as debating, music, photography or cookery as well as sport. Everyone who completed the scheme took part in an expedition, with trips to areas such as the Brecon Beacons, Cumbria and Box Hill.

Lillie Rodger, seen here with the Mayor of Merton, played and sang a song she wrote about her expedition

In total, the young people who have achieved their awards this year have 5,000 hours of volunteering under their belt. Fifty-three young people taking their gold DofE award will be heading off to Snowdonia on an expedition – a record-breaking number for Merton.

Merton’s director of children, schools and families, Yvette Stanley said: “I would like to congratulate all our young people for completing their Duke of Edinburgh Awards. By earning their gold, silver or bronze awards they have improved their prospects of finding work, applying for training or courses to further themselves as well as picking up new skills they can develop.”

ENDS

Note to editors

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a national scheme that provides a rewarding personal development programme for young people aged 14 to 25. Young people are given the chance to get involved in a wide range of leisure, learning and voluntary activities that are both challenging and enjoyable. It is run across all the secondary schools in Merton and through an Open Award Centre in South Wimbledon.